African violet plant

ABSTRACT

An African violet plant known by the cultivar name Missouri and particularly characterized by the combined features of vigorous and compact growth habit; intensive red-violet flowers with frilled edges; strong and upright flower stems; long blooming period, and an abundant flower display at first flash.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Africanviolet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Missouri. The new cultivar, identifiedduring the breeding and selection process by the designation b.17/11-66/78 red frilled, is a product of a planned breeding program ofthe present inventor. Missouri is characterized principally by itsfrilled flower edges, red-violet flower color, very strong and uprightflower stems, compact habit, and non-dropping flowers. These traits incombination were not present in previously available commercial Africanviolet cultivars.

The new cultivar was originated from a cross made in a controlledbreeding program in Isselburg, Rhineland, Germany. The female, or seedparent was F III (color: RHS 62-D), an unpatented cultivar. The male, orpollen parent was XIX 4001 red (color RHS 71-A), likewise an unpatentedcultivar.

The new cultivar Missouri was discovered and selected as a floweringplant within the progeny of the stated cross by me in a controlledenvironment in Isselburg, Rhineland, Germany.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings and bydivision of shoots, as performed by me at Isselburg, Rhineland, Germany,has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following observations, measurements and values describe plantsgrown in Isselburg, Rhineland, Germany, under greenhouse conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Missouri, which in combination distinguishthis African violet as a new and distinct cultivar:

(1) Compact habit.

(2) Vigorous growth with upright flower stems, which are very strong.

(3) Long blooming period.

(4) Rich in flowers, with the flowers having frilled edges and beingnon-dropping.

(5) The plant is attractive and saleable with the first flash offlowers.

(6) Intensive red-violet flower color.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows a typical specimen plant ofthe new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are as true aspossible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to the RoyalHorticultural Society (RHS), color chart, except where general colorterms of ordinary significance are obvious.

Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat, cv Missouri

Parentage:

Male Parent.--XIX 4001, Color RHS 71-A.

Female Parent.--F III, Color RHS 62-D.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough successive propagations by leaf cuttings and by division ofshoots.

Plant: From 7 cm. to 9 cm. tall when grown in pots, and approximately 23cm. in diameter when fully grown.

Leaves.--General Form: oval to round. Diameter: 50-55 mm. Texture: soft,hairy. Aspect: velvety. Veins: well pronounced on underside. Color(upperside): 131A. Color (underside): uneven; red brown to green.Petiole: light red-brown.

Flowers:

Buds.--Ball-shaped; 6-7 mm. in diameter, color 73-C.

Sepals.--Spear-shaped. Color: RHS 59B. Calyx: funnel-shaped. Aspect:flat-funnel. Peduncle: upright and strong.

Individual flowers:

Size.--35-40 mm. in diameter.

Color.--Upperside: 72 A-B. Underside: 72C.

Borne.--Up to 8 flowers per stem.

Shape.--Five; two small, 3 large, all frilled; small, 17 mm. long, 12mm. wide; large 22 mm. long, 17 mm. wide.

Arrangement.--Upright and strong peduncle, with up to 8 flowers.

Flowering time.--8-9 weeks after potting the first flowers appear, andplant is in full flower in two more weeks.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Two, color 7B.

Anthers.--Four, color 7B; capsule pushes slightly through.

Arrangement.--Basifixed.

Filaments.--3-4 mm. long, greenish, reddish on base.

Styles.--Reddish violet, connected to seed capsule.

Pollen color.--Very fine, color 7-C.

Roots: White when young and active.

Disease Resistance: Very good.

General observations: Missouri is a vigorous grower. The flowers arecarried on strong upright stems, and the bouquet is centrally above thefoliage. The frilled edge, red-violet flowers are plentiful, and 7-9flowers appear in the first flash, thereby making the plant highlysaleable.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet plant known bythe cultivar name Missouri and particularly characterized by thecombined features of vigorous and compact growth habit; intensivered-violet flowers with filled edges; strong and upright flower stems;long blooming period, and an abundant flower display at first flash.